Silves Local Customs

1 more image

After visiting the Archaeological Museum and admiring the Advanced Tower (part of the old town battlements in front of the museum), I spotted this stork on its nest at the top of a tall chimney on a small building just down the road.

Many houses in the village have flat roofs where you can gain access via a stairway usually from the rear of the property. The roof is often used as an extra room for evening dining as it is much cooler than being inside. The roof is also commonly used as a garden area with colourful pot plants and a place to hang and dry washing on a sunny day - or just a place to sit and watch the world go by. Many property owners extend there houses by building a proper room up here with walls and a roof.

1 more image

While walking in the village just past the little streets and near a pleasant little stream - we came across this very decorative well. The picture shows a Monk with a water jug and the beautiful floral pots which adorn the well. Lots of people would stop by - usually by car and fill up various sized water containers. We asked some locals what was so special about the water and were told - it was the freshest & coolest water around & came from an underground mountain stream. The taste test = oh yes this was the finest drink of water we had ever had and best of all it is free!

Or did he? Where ever you go in Portugal you will encounter this Cockeral - he will show up in beer mats - tea towels - wine stoppers - t shirts but he will show up. The story goes a wealthy man held a banquet & the silver ware was stolen. One guest was accusted & found guilty. He then spotted a cockeral sleeping in a basket & said "If the cock crows I am innocent" the bird complide & he was set free!!

Under construction

under construction